David John Longo
PUTNAM — David John Longo, 61, formerly of Sayles Avenue, died Feb. 15, 2026, at Hope Health Hulier Hospice Center in Providence.
Born in 1964 in Putnam, he was the son of Nicholas Longo, Esq. of Putnam and the late Louise (Paulhus) Longo.
Mr. Longo worked for many years in Corporate Accounting for the Pepsi Cola Company.
He was a very active member of the Sovereign Grace Chapel in Southbridge, Mass.
He enjoyed attending both professional and collegiate sporting events with his two brothers.
He leaves his father, Atty. Nicholas Longo of Putnam; siblings, James N. Longo of Ohio, Kevin J. Longo of Putnam, and Maureen E. Longo of Putnam; two nieces, Christine Longo and Sarah Longo and his nephew, James Longo Jr.
Funeral arrangements are private and have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 School St., Putnam.
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Mary Violet Santerre
N. GROSVENORDALE — Mary Violet (Rogers) Santerre, 94, of North Grosvenordale, died Feb. 12, 2026, after a long and fulfilling life.
She was born July 9, 1931, in Holyoke, Mass., daughter of the late William Bernard Rogers and Susan Theresa (O’Donnell) Rogers. Mary spent much of her childhood in Holyoke before she and her family moved to Putnam, where she graduated from Putnam High School.
During her high school years, she met the love of her life, Rene, whom she later married when he returned home from his deployment in the Korean conflict. They then settled in North Grosvenordale, where they built their life and raised their family together.
Together, Mary and her husband ran his self-employed masonry business and later D&R Masonry & Tire in North Grosvenordale. In addition to raising her family and supporting the family business, Mary worked at American Optical, as a recreation director at Matulaitis Nursing Home, and as an arts and crafts instructor at Thompson Recreation Adventure Camp.
Mary was a communicant of St. Joseph Church in North Grosvenordale and was active in the Daughters of Isabella Circle #636, where she served for many years as Regent.
Mary enjoyed crafting, including cross stitch, sewing, crocheting, and knitting, as well as baking. She also opened her own business, Knots n’ Things, offering macramé supplies and classes, and became known to many as “Macramé Mary.” She was especially proud of her Irish heritage, a spirit that shone through in her strength, determination, and humor. She also enjoyed watching sports, especially the Boston Red Sox and the UConn Women’s Basketball Team. Mary cherished summers at the family camp at Quaddick Lake, where time with family and friends created treasured memories.
For more than 30 years, Mary and Rene spent winters as “snowbirds” on the west coast of Florida, where they built lasting friendships and enjoyed watching Red Sox spring training and college softball spring training. There, Mary played bocce and Rummikub, spent time at the pool and beach, volunteered with park theatrical performances, and rode her bike.
She leaves her sons, Daniel Santerre (Nancy), and Roger Santerre (Denise), all of North Grosvenordale. “Memere” also leaves four beloved grandchildren: Pamela, Tracey, Alyson, and Andrew. “Aunt Vi” is also survived by many nieces, nephews. In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband of 59 years, Rene Bernard Santerre; her grandson, Matthew Santerre; and her siblings, William Rogers, Susan (Rogers) Duquette, Shirley (Rogers) Lavin, and Rosemary (Rogers) Piotrowski.
Visitation was Feb. 20 at Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., with a Mass of Christian Burial Feb. 20 St. Joseph’s Church, N. Grosvenordale. Burial will be private in the spring. Donations: TEEG, PO Box 664, 15 Thatcher Road, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255.
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Wed. Feb. 25
Art Show
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library is hosting its third annual Tiny Art Show through February, possibly longer. 963-6826.
Unique Exhibit
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council is presenting the avant guard designs in multiple mediums of Jamie Soroka in the Corridor Gallery at the Putnam Municipal Complex through the month of March.
Sat. Feb. 28
Fire & Ice
PUTNAM --- Fire & Ice will be held from noon to 8 p.m. around downtown Putnam. Tickets are on sale for the Mystic Aquarium's penguin ambassadors who will appear at the Bradley Playhouse at 2:30. www.discoverputnam.com. Gertrude Chandler Warner Children Boxcar Museum open.
Wed. March 4
Book Signing
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will hold an author talk and book signing of “WWII Purple Heart edition 2025, Vol. 2” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with author Michael Rocchetti, American Legion Post commander.
Sat. March 7
World Day of Prayer
DANIELSON --- The Danielson United Methodist Church on Spring Street will be holding a World Day of Prayer service written by Christian Women of Nigeria. The program starts with a Nigerian luncheon at noon, followed by the service that speaks to our need for peace and solace, drawing on their faith and experiences in a world filled with struggles and anxieties.
Fri. March 13
Fund-raiser
CANTERBURY --- United Services, Inc. will host its 23rd Annual Irish Night, Lighting the Way Home, from 6 to 9 p.m. This is United Services’ signature annual fund-raising event that will feature traditional Irish food and music, community storytelling, raffles and silent auction items, and a powerful live “Auction-for-a-Cause” paddle raise highlighting the real-life impact of United Services’ programs. Tickets, info: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/annualirishevent/event/23rdannualirisheventlightingthewayhome/.
Sat. March 14
‘Gardens World’
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present ‘Around the World in 80 Gardens” from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Room 109 in the Putnam Municipal Complex.
Sun. March 15
Owl Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society’s Center at Pomfret on Day Road will present a program on owls at 1 p.m. at the center. Come meet an Eastern Screech Owl, a Barred Owl, a Barn Owl, and a Great Horned Owl! Horizon Wings, a bird of prey rescue in Ashford, is bringing. Seating limited. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers; children aged 10 and under free. Register: between noon and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday at 860-928-4948.
Fund-raiser Tickets
THOMPSON --- Tickets for the TEEG 25th annual Have A Heart fund-raiser will go on sale March 15. It will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. May 1 at the Mansion at Bald Hill in Woodstock. Tickets are $35 per person and will be available at TEEG’s website. Sponsorships also welcome. 860-923-3458.
Sat. March 21
'Revolutionary Women'
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library and the Aspinock Historical Society will present "Women in the American Revolution" with Eric Chandler at 1 p.m. It's part of the America's 250th Anniversary of the Revolution program.
Sat. Oct. 3
Revolutionary Abington
ABINGTON --- The Pomfret 250th Committee will present a simulated battle re-enactment Oct. 3 and 4 at the Pomfret Recreation Park. There will be two encampments – one British, one American. Battles will be staged at some points Oct. 3.
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Grant awarded for greenhouse improvements and 'SEED' program
PUTNAM — The Putnam Area Foundation awarded a $3,500 grant to Northeast Placement Services (NEPS) to support refurbishment and expansion of its greenhouse and garden facilities, strengthening the organization’s SEED program expanding opportunities for individuals of all abilities to participate in hands-on educational and vocational experiences.
The funding will allow NEPS to refurbish and re-wrap the greenhouse originally constructed in 2016, extending its life and enabling year-round programming, and assist in the purchase of a Dosatron system, a water-powered, proportional fertilizer doser to improve irrigation and nutrient management. This equipment allows people of all abilities to participate in the plant cultivation process. The grant will also allow for the installation of additional fencing and trellises.
The SEED (Strength, Education, Empowerment = Dreams) program, which started in 2021 consists of raised vegetable beds, 2 vegetable gardens, a pumpkin patch, a sensory garden, irrigation systems, and flower gardens. The program has had great success providing participants with practical learning opportunities in horticulture, fostering skill development, independence, teamwork, and community engagement.
The improvements funded through this grant will allow NEPS to expand participation while maintaining a safe and accessible environment. Former Executive Director Timothy Kettle had big dreams for this program, and was steadfast around making this program sustainable, educational, and fruitful for all involved. Since Kettle’s retirement, Executive Director, Tammy Scott has not let her foot off the gas. “From the first seed planted until now, Tom Borner and The Putnam Area Foundation have made a lasting impact on NEPS, affording us the ability to provide another quality program where everyone sees the fruits of their labor!”
“The Putnam Area Foundation is proud to support Northeast Placement Services and the important work they do in our community,” said Thomas Borner, president of the Putnam Area Foundation. “We were an original grant sponsor in 2021 when the SEED Program started, and to see it take off and expand, reaching the number of people in our community that it has, is a testament to the service that NEPS is providing. The grant today will ensure the continuation of a program that has become an important resource.”
Ryan DeWitt, director of Day and Vocational Services at Northeast Placement Services, said: “NEPS has an incredible TEAM and with continued community support, there isn’t anything we can’t offer our participants, and there is nothing we can’t do. Thank you Tom Borner and The Putnam Area Foundation, for organizations like yours that afford organizations like ours a hand up. That’s community impact!”
The Putnam Area Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to supporting charitable organizations serving the greater Putnam area.
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Remembering Petty Officer 2nd Class Bednarz
Accidents, equipment malfunctions, and human error are the bane of military aviators, and were the cause of many fatalities during WWII. Frank Joseph Bednarz (1918-1943), of Thompson was an Aviation Radioman Second Class assigned to Patrol Bombing Squadron VP-52 at Naval Operations Base, King’s Point, Bermuda. The unit was engaged in anti-submarine warfare operations during the Battle of the Atlantic.
During an early morning gunnery exercise on Sunday, January 10th 1943, while attempting a pass over the target area on the water of the Great Sound, a PBY-5 Catalina Seaplane from VP-52, registration number 2367, unexpectedly dove into the water at a high rate of speed near Grace Island, causing the plane to crash at approximately 8 km NNE off of the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse in Bermuda. All 8 occupants of the plane were lost – including Frank Bednarz. The cause of the accident was never determined, and is still a mystery.
This loss is still a painful memory for Frank’s younger sister Bernice Bednarz, a spry 102 year old Thompson resident.
Bernice’s friend, Mrs. Jane Jewell Ellison noticed the story about Frank Bednarz in a recently published book, “Hometown Heroes of the Quiet Corner – the WW2 Purple Heart Edition – 2025 Volume 2”. Ellison reached out to the author, Putnam resident Michael Rocchetti, and asked if she could buy a copy of the book as a gift for Bernice. She also asked if he'd be interested in meeting with Bernice. Rocchetti jumped at the offer. “It’s not very often that you get a chance to meet with someone that is 102 years old!” said Rocchetti. He added: “The meeting with Bernice marked an occasion of both sadness and joy - sadness over the loss of her brother Frank during WWII, but joy that he hasn’t been forgotten.”
Frank Bednarz was born April 2, 1918, the son of Andrew and Anna Bednarz of North Grosvenordale. He graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School in 1936, and enlisted in the Navy on July 18,1940. After he died in the plane crash, the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency classified his remains as unrecoverable. He is memorialized on the “Tablets of the Missing” at the East Coast Memorial at Battery Park in New York City. He is also memorialized with a cenotaph at the St. Joseph Cemetery in North Grosvenordale.
In addition to his parents, he leaves three brothers, Ignatius, Pvt John Bednarz of Fort Riley Kan., and Corp William Bednarz of Paterson, N.J., and three sisters, Mrs. Sophie Lachapelle, Josephine, and Bernice Bednarz, all of North Grosvenordale.
“Hometown Heroes of the Quiet Corner” is a book series that honors military veterans from northeast Connecticut. The books are written by Michael Rocchetti and are published by American Legion Post #13 in Putnam. They can be purchased online at https://hometown-heroes-of-the-quiet-corner.myshopify.com/
All proceeds from the book sales will help fund American Legion scholarships, youth programs, Boy’s State, Girl’s State, American Legion Baseball, veterans-in-need, Americanism initiatives, and other programs which directly benefit the local community.
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Michael Rocchetti and Bernice Bednarz